I recently bought a Clavia Nord Rack 2X and got a few questions concering it. Maybe one of you can help me with it. I read the manual (in german pdf version) but still got a few points open that I did not understand yet.

First of all I´d like to ask, if there is a patchscript file available for Cubase. I would like to teach Cubase to know the Rack 2X incl. all of its patches, so I can choose the patches from a list within Cubase. Is there something available?

Now the questions for the device itself:
I use a MIDI masterkeyboard on MIDI channel 1 and it works fine. But what I do not understand is the mode for slot A/B/C/D. I thought I could load a different patch in every slot, for example patch 1.11 in A, patch 1.12 in B, patch 1.13 in C and 1.14 in D. But when I play on the keyboard, I only hear slot A. When I check the MIDI channels, I see that the slots are on MIDI channel A = 1, B = 2, C = 3 and D = 4. So when I use channel 1 on the keyboard I can play slot A, channel 2 for slot B etc. Ok, that works, but only separated. When I change the MIDI channels, for example slot A = 1, B = 1, C = 1 and D = 1, then I can play all 4 slots on they keyboard using just MIDI channel 1. So what is the difference between this method of playing all slots on just one MIDI channel, compared to layering the sounds?

Cause when I layer the sounds by pressing all slot buttons immediately, I hear no difference. The same with using performances, when I load a performance, I can play only slot A, cause all slots got an individual channel, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The Global MIDI channel is set to 16.

Can anyone of you explain me, how to use and play the slots correctly, how to layer the sounds and play them correctly, for I guess, when you layer 4 sounds, you like to hear 4 sounds at the same time!! And how to use and play performances correctly. And what is the Global MIDI channel for?

EDIT: And another question: due to the fact that the Rack 2X only got MIDI in/out and no USB, is it fact, that there never will be firmware updates for the machine?

... First of all I´d like to ask, if there is a patchscript file available for Cubase. I would like to teach Cubase to know the Rack 2X incl. all of its patches, so I can choose the patches from a list within Cubase. Is there something available?

I never saw one, but that's doesn't say it doesn't exist. If not, what would you need to construct it yourself?

Quote:

Now the questions for the device itself:
I use a MIDI masterkeyboard on MIDI channel 1 and it works fine. But what I do not understand is the mode for slot A/B/C/D. I thought I could load a different patch in every slot, for example patch 1.11 in A, patch 1.12 in B, patch 1.13 in C and 1.14 in D. But when I play on the keyboard, I only hear slot A. When I check the MIDI channels, I see that the slots are on MIDI channel A = 1, B = 2, C = 3 and D = 4. So when I use channel 1 on the keyboard I can play slot A, channel 2 for slot B etc. Ok, that works, but only separated. When I change the MIDI channels, for example slot A = 1, B = 1, C = 1 and D = 1, then I can play all 4 slots on they keyboard using just MIDI channel 1. So what is the difference between this method of playing all slots on just one MIDI channel, compared to layering the sounds?

At http://nm-archives.electro-music.com/020_NordLead2/Red_Lady/Index_bestanden/Red_Lady/Prgm_Lay_Perf_01.htm I wrote a long article about how the NordLead/Rack are organized and some tricks.
As a rule you can say every Slot which is activate by incomming Midi will sound. The troubles are in the fact the Rack has no Keyboard, but you noticed that already, didn't you? Pressing a Slot button makes a Slot active to the internal controllers, like Keyboard, PitchStick and ModWheel. So in the set up SingleProgram - Layer - Performance, the Rack isn't able to create a Layer. Even in the Lead the Layer isn't controlled by Midi. The lead is designed to be used on stage and hands on, where the Rack is designed to be used in the studio or on stage, but no hands on. I hope you understand this concept.

Quote:

Cause when I layer the sounds by pressing all slot buttons immediately, I hear no difference. The same with using performances, when I load a performance, I can play only slot A, cause all slots got an individual channel, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The Global MIDI channel is set to 16.

A Performance can be a Layer, but only if the Midi In is in each of the sounds (Slots) the same. When saving a Performance the Midi settings are saved too! [I can't direct you to the Manual, because the nummering of the pages is different between the English and German version. Do you have an internet address where I can download the German version. Und ja, Ich kann auch Deutsch lesen und schreiben. Wenn Sie noch immer Problemen hätte, denn schreiben Sie biete eine E-mail zu mir.] At the other hand on a Rack a Performance has no need to use different Midi channels, because Slot Program change is never performed. It is a good machine to use together with a computer and Cu-base. ...

Quote:

And what is the Global MIDI channel for?

Never forget the NordLead/Rack is the oldiest synth still in production, 17 years already!!! Global Midi was then still in use. Sysex files use it to perform ProgramChance. It is very good to create internal conflicts in the synth Better set it to channel 16!

Quote:

EDIT: And another question: due to the fact that the Rack 2X only got MIDI in/out and no USB, is it fact, that there never will be firmware updates for the machine?

I would surprize me very, very much! There will come a day Clavia wants their daughter to leave the house...

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forumYou cannot attach files in this forumYou can download files in this forum

Please support our site. If you click through and buy from our affiliate partners, we earn a small commission.